India should slate Rishabh Pant at No 5 or use him as a floater in T20 WC: Ponting

Rishabh Pant's explosive batting is not hidden from anyone; it is his way or the highway. His approach has yielded India monumental results and, at times, dragged the side down.

Former Australian captain and current Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting believes that Pant could be an impact player for India in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia if he is utilized as a floater.

Speaking on ICC Review, Ponting said, "He is a wonderful player and an outstanding young man who has got the world at his feet. And he'll be exceptionally dangerous for India, especially on the wickets we'll provide in Australia.

He'll be one of the players to watch out for in the World T20 for sure. I reckon having him as a floater, and I'll probably have him listed at five in the Indian batting line-up."

The multi-time World Cup-winning captain explained that Pant's role should be more situational than strategic.

"But in certain situations, where it gets to a stage, where there are seven-eight overs to go, and they are one-two down, I will look at sending him in and giving as much time as possible. He is that dynamic and that explosive (player), and that is certainly the way I would look at trying to use him," he stated.

In both formats, Pant has played 7 Tests and 3 T20Is in Australia, scoring 624 runs and 20 runs, respectively. However, Pant did not have the best of IPL with the bat, making just 340 runs from 14 innings.

Ponting pointed out that the left-hander was frustrated with his performance.

"He probably didn't have his best tournament. He was really frustrated with his IPL this year because he went into the tournament batting better than I've ever seen him bat before.

And even by his own admission, he said the same thing to me, halfway through the tournament, that he didn't feel he was getting results that he probably should have and that he probably deserved," concluded Ponting.